Abstract:
An endoprosthetic scapular glenoid component is provided with a concave bearing surface of elongated part-spherical shape significantly less than hemispherical extent. The surface forms the larger end face of a generally frusto-pyramidal body of which the side faces have a relieved structure for fixation in the scapular with gap-filling cement. The pyramidal body is preferably quadrilateral with two opposed planar side faces and the other two convexly rounded. For use in a total shoulder joint device, the glenoid component can be associated with a variety of generally spherically headed, intramedullary stemmed, humeral components. Preferably the humeral component head is of minor segmental form, and the stem inclined relative to the head over a major free end portion of its length.
Abstract:
Fibre reinforced cementitious products are described comprising glass fibrous material distributed throughout a cement matrix, in which the glass is one having per se a degree of alkali resistance such that when tested in the form of an abraded fibre of length 2 1/2 inches and diameter of from 0.4 to 1.0 X 10 3 inches said fibre has a tensile strength of at least 100,000 p.s.i. after treatment with saturated aqueous Ca(OH)2 solution at 100*C. for 4 hours followed by successive washings at ambient temperature with water, then with aqueous hydrochloric acid (1%) for 1 minute, water, acetone, following by drying, said fibre experiencing not more than 10% reduction in diameter during said test. The reinforcement of Portland cement structures by fibres of diameter 0.4 to 1.0 X 10 3 and lengths of up to 4 inches is described. Alkali resistant glasses useful for production of these products comprise the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses including those in the anorthite field, silica zirconia glasses, and silica stannic oxide glasses. The products have outstanding durability and impact resistance.
Abstract:
An isolator comprises an enclosure member adapted to provide a controlled microbiological environment and having a transfer port for passage of objects into and out of the enclosure member. The transfer port comprises a conduit communicating at one end with the interior of the enclosure member, and having its other end external to the enclosure member, and air supply means communicating with the conduit to direct a flow of sterilised air over the inner surface of the conduit. Preferably the conduit has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced apart over at least part of the conduit, and there is provided an array of openings distributed over the inner surface of the conduit.
Abstract:
A method for producing a human embryo liver cell line which comprises disaggregating human embryo liver, suspending the cells in a growth medium, replacing this with fresh medium if it becomes acid, and allowing a confluent sheet of spindle-shaped cells of the cell line to form. The cells of the cell line, which are designated by A.T.C.C. No. CL99, may be sub-cultured and may be used as the basis of a cell-culture system for the culturing of mammalian cells in tissue culture. Viruses may be cultivated in a culture system based on cells of the cell line to provide antigenic material for the preparation of vaccines.
Abstract:
Urinary control by electrical stimulation of the sphincter and bladder muscles is effected by way of the sacral ventral roots, selection in the resultant muscle action being effected by use of discriminating signal forms. Sphincter closure action is effected by use of a low intensity pulse train whereby the sphincter is stimulated but not the bladder and so incontinence is avoided. Bladder muscle action to cause micturation is effected by use of a higher intensity pulse train whereby both muscles are stimulated during each pulse train, but during each interruption the sphincter relaxes while the bladder remains contracted.
Abstract:
An endoprosthetic bone joint device, suitable for the knee or other joints, is provided by way of two components of which one is slotted to receive in captive rotatable engagement therein a linkage member projecting from the other. In the direction of the slot, the slotted component has a generally convex bearing surface which engages a similarly directed concave bearing surface on the other component, but in an orthogonal direction the former surface can present two raised portions to engage respective depressions in the latter surface and resulting in a rib and groove along each side of the slot. This double rib groove formation is appropriate to a knee joint device, but can be simplified to singular curvature for another joint such as a finger. Also, the lateral dimension of the slot can progressively vary to allow a progressively varying lateral rocking capability with rotation of the components.
Abstract:
A physiologically acceptable insulin derivative has the terminal amino group of the B chain (B1, phenylalanine) protected by an acyl group or other blocking group containing up to seven carbon atoms and the amino group of the A chain (A1, glycine) is either free or protected by means of an acyl or other blocking group containing no more than four carbon atoms and preferably no more than three atoms other than hydrogen. Pharmaceutical preparations may be prepared containing an effective amount of such an insulin derivative together with a physiologically acceptable diluent. An insulin derivative of reduced antigenicity is obtainable from porcine or bovine insulin by reacting the insulin with an acylating agent or other blocking reagent to acylate or otherwise block the amino group of the B1 amino acid and optionally block the A1 and/or B29 amino acid, followed by purification of the derivative by various methods.
Abstract:
Insulin derivatives which are water soluble, readily isolated, immunologically acceptable and which retain hypoglycaemic activity are those in which at least one of the A1, B1 and B29 aminoacid amino groups is converted into a blocked amino group having a substituent capable of forming an anion, e.g., by substitution with dicarboxylic acid radicals.
Abstract:
A seat for sanitary equipment such as water closets and commodes, has an elongated aperture extending between the front and rear, two non-planar profiled areas bordering the sides of the aperture towards its front, and a relieved area bordering the aperture behind the two areas. The profiled areas are trough formations to receive and support the thighs, and the relieved area is U-shaped and dished around the aperture to clear the buttocks. In a commode, such a seat conveniently forms part of a platform including at least one supplementary seating area extending laterally from the seat, there preferably being two such areas to form wings in an overall configuration which is curved or angled in plan view. Other features associated with such a commode comprise a user support arrangement upstanding from the platform rear and including a back rest and hand rail/arm rests, and also legs with rollers which can be rendered effective or not, the legs and support arrangement being adjustable in height and, in the latter case, angular disposition.
Abstract:
A radiation position detector is described particularly for detecting the source of gamma radiation over which a gamma camera is scanned. Electrical signals are generated representing the coordinates of the focal point of the gamma camera and of the received radiation. The received radiation signals are multiplied by a compensating factor to correct for a particular depth of radiation so that radiation starting at that depth is in focus. The corrected signals and the camera co-ordinate signals are combined so that a picture can be obtained in focus for the particular depth. Multiplexing may be used to provide correction for a plurality of depths.